Challenges before the Indian Constitution and Parliamentary Democracy

The Indian Constitution, inspired by global democratic traditions and rooted in indigenous values, has served as the backbone of the world’s largest parliamentary democracy since 1950. Despite its comprehensive framework and enduring adaptability, the system faces persistent challenges that threaten its democratic ethos. These include the criminalization of politics, corruption, communalization, excessive use of money and muscle power in elections, weakening of parliamentary functioning, federal tensions, judicial-executive conflicts, and threats to secularism. These issues erode public trust, reduce accountability, and weaken democratic institutions. Addressing these challenges requires legal reforms, political will, value-based education, and active citizen participation. Strengthening parliamentary democracy is essential to preserve constitutional values and ensure inclusive national development.